Tom Coughlin has once again learned the hard way that hoisting the Lombardi Trophy multiple times doesn’t guarantee membership into the NFL’s most exclusive club.
The legendary Giants head coach will have to wait at least one more year to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as the committee revealed Tuesday that he fell short of being named the coaching finalist on the 2025 class ballot. The nomination was instead awarded to former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.
Coughlin, who spent 12 seasons in New York and led the franchise to a pair of Super Bowl titles (2007, 2011) over the vaunted New England Patriots, just marked his second year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. He compiled a 170-150 regular-season record between long stints with the Giants (2004-2015) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-2002). He reached the playoffs nine times, finishing with a 12-7 postseason record.
The path to Canton could be even more difficult for the 78-year-old Coughlin next year, as champion coaches Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll will be ballot-eligible for the first time. Of course, this situation isn’t set in stone — there’s still a chance that Belichick makes his return to an NFL sideline next fall.
Five individuals reached the finalist stage across three categories for potential enshrinement into the Hall of Fame. Holmgren spent 17 seasons as an NFL head coach and captured a Super Bowl with the Packers in 1996. He also led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005. After 11 years of eligibility, this is the first time that Holmgren will be voted on for induction.
Coughlin, who was inducted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor in 2016, is one of 14 head coaches with multiple Super Bowl wins. He also currently ranks 17th all-time in wins by coaches.
